US7252205B2 - Plastic container with top handle - Google Patents
Plastic container with top handle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US7252205B2 US7252205B2 US10/412,336 US41233603A US7252205B2 US 7252205 B2 US7252205 B2 US 7252205B2 US 41233603 A US41233603 A US 41233603A US 7252205 B2 US7252205 B2 US 7252205B2
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- panel
- wall
- handle
- extending upward
- container
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
- B65D23/10—Handles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
- B65D2203/04—Level indicators
Definitions
- the invention relates to a container. More particularly, the invention relates to the structure of a container for liquids.
- a container that is commonly used as a large plastic container is the polyolefin continuous extrusion blow-molded container.
- Polyolefin continuous extrusion blow-molded containers provide the requisite structure to resist many forces, particularly those related to top-loading.
- a plastic can be heated in an extruder and a parison is created by the plastic exiting the extruder through the head tooling.
- the parison is then captured by a mold, and blown in the mold.
- a parison can be extruded up into the mold and as the mold comes together, a pneumatic blow pin, for example, can pierce the parison and blow the parison up against the walls of the mold.
- the mold typically contains flash pockets above and below the cavity in the mold to capture the excess of the parison that is forced above and below the cavity. When the parison is blown inside the mold, it is forced into the flash pockets and portions of the parison must adhere together. The excess flash can then be cut away from the container after it is ejected from the mold.
- the structures should be capable of accommodating variations in volume of the containers' contents. Furthermore, the structure should be capable of being manufactured in conventional high-speed equipment.
- top loading The ability to withstand vertical loading on the neck finish of a container such as container 10 (referred to as top loading) is important in that it determines how many layers of containers can be stacked without causing the container to collapse or deform.
- a higher top load strength allows more vertical stacking of containers for shipping and storage, which can reduce shipping and storage costs.
- a higher top load strength also reduces the chance of deformation or rupturing due to rough handling or dropping.
- the invention provides a structure that has an increased top load strength compared to other structures having similar overall dimensions. Alternatively, the invention can provide a smaller container for a given top load strength.
- Embodiments of the invention provide a plastic container having a base with a foundation extending upward from the base, front and rear panels, right and left side panels, a front pillar wall, and a rear pillar wall extending upward from the foundation.
- the front and rear pillar walls are not co-planer with the front and rear panels, respectively.
- a transitional wall is attached to the front and rear panels and the front and rear pillar wall. Further, the transitional wall is located between the front panel and the front pillar wall and between the rear panel and the rear pillar wall.
- the container also includes an integral handle with a first end attached to the right side panel and a second end attached to the transitional wall, a top panel attached to the transitional wall, front and real panels, and second end of the handle, a shoulder extending upward from the front and rear pillar walls and the left side panel, and a finish extending upward from the shoulder and having an opening.
- a plastic container having a base with a foundation extending upward from the base, front and rear panels, right and left side panels, a front pillar wall, and a rear pillar wall extending upward from the foundation.
- the front and rear pillar walls are non-parallel with the front and rear panels, respectively.
- a transitional wall is attached to the front and rear panels and the front and rear pillar wall. Further, the transitional wall is located between the front panel and the front pillar wall and between the rear panel and the rear pillar wall.
- the container also includes an integral handle with a first end attached to the right side panel and a second end attached to the transitional wall. The handle extends downward from the second end to the first end.
- the container further includes a top panel attached to the transitional wall, front and real panels, and second end of the handle, a shoulder extending upward from the front and rear pillar walls and the left side panel, a finish extending upward from the shoulder and having an opening, a first chamfered corner between the right side panel and the front panel and extending upward from the base to a vertical position of the container adjacent the lower end of the handle, and a second chamfered corner between the right side panel and the front panel and extending upward from the base to a vertical position of the container adjacent the lower end of the handle.
- Still other embodiments of the invention provide a plastic container having a base, a cavity having front and rear panels, right and left side panels, front and rear pillar walls and a transitional wall.
- the front and rear panels, right and left side panels, front and rear pillar walls and transitional wall extend upward from the base, and the transitional wall is located between the front panel and the front pillar wall and between the rear panel and the rear pillar wall.
- the container includes an integral handle with a first end attached to the right side panel and a second end attached to the transitional wall. The handle extends downward from the second end to the first end.
- the container further includes a top panel located on top of the front and rear panels and between the transitional wall and second end of the handle, a shoulder extending upward from the front and rear pillar walls and the left side panel, and a finish extending upward from the shoulder and having an opening.
- FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a right side view of an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 3 is top view of an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view from the bottom of an embodiment of the invention.
- FIGS. 1-6 show a container 10 that is an example of an embodiment of the invention that can be used as a large container for liquids such as, for example, 4 or 5 liters of motor oil.
- Container 10 can have a base 600 connected to a foundation 602 .
- Container 10 can also have a shoulder 510 that can be connected to foundation 602 by various panels and side walls that from a cavity and will be described in further detail below.
- shoulder 510 At the upper end of shoulder 510 is a finish 512 having an opening 514 .
- finish 512 can be configured to receive a screw cap (not shown) for sealing container 10 .
- a handle 502 can be provided on or near the top of container 10 to make it easier for a user to hold container 10 during transport and while pouring the contents from container 10 .
- the walls of the cavity of container 10 can be formed by front panel 100 , rear panel 200 , right side panel 400 , left side panel 300 , front pillar wall 102 , rear pillar wall 202 , transitional wall 500 , and top panel 508 .
- Front and rear panels 100 , 200 , front and rear pillar walls 102 , 202 , and right and left side panels 400 , 300 can extend upward from foundation 602 .
- Foundation 602 can extend downward from the walls of the cavity of container 10 towards base 600 and can taper towards base 600 from the point where it connects with the walls of the cavity of container 10 to the point where it merges with base 600 .
- Front and rear panels 100 , 200 can be connected to right side panel 400 top panel 508 , transitional wall 500 and angled sides 516 , 518 of a lower end 504 of handle 502 .
- Front and rear panels can be positioned substantially opposite from each other and extend substantially parallel to each other.
- front and rear panels 100 , 200 do not join right side panels at 90° corners, but, instead, chamfered corners 402 , 404 are provided.
- Front and rear panels 100 , 200 can blend into top panel 508 , transitional wall 500 and the lower end 504 of handle 502 via the use of gentle curves so as to form a contiguous piece of plastic.
- Front and rear pillar walls 102 , 202 can be connected to left side wall 300 , transitional wall 500 and shoulder 510 .
- Front and rear pillar walls 102 , 202 can be positioned substantially opposite each other.
- Front and rear pillar walls 102 , 202 can taper towards left side wall 300 causing the distance between front and rear pillar walls 102 , 202 at the point where they merge with transitional wall 500 to be greater than the distance between the two walls at the point where they merge with left side panel 300 .
- Front and rear pillar walls 102 , 202 can also be non-parallel to front and rear panels 100 , 200 . In this example, because the front and rear pillar walls 102 , 202 are non-parallel to front and rear panels 100 , 200 , transitional wall 500 has a non-rectangular shape.
- a front portion of transitional wall 500 can extend from the foundation between front panel 100 and front pillar wall 102 along the edges of front panel 100 and front pillar wall 102 where it can merge with the front side of shoulder 510 , top panel 508 and an upper end 506 of handle 502 .
- Transitional wall 500 can then extend between the edges of the front side of shoulder 510 and top panel 508 under handle 502 where it meets the rear portion of transitional wall 500 .
- the rear portion of transitional wall 500 can extend from the foundation between rear panel 200 and rear pillar wall 202 along the edges of rear panel 200 and front pillar wall 202 where it can merge with the rear side of shoulder 510 , top panel 508 and the upper end 506 of handle 502 .
- Transitional wall 500 can then extend between the edges of the rear side of shoulder 510 and top panel 508 under handle 502 where transitional wall 500 meets the front portion.
- FIG. 3 illustrates how the top of container 10 can be formed to afford easy pouring.
- Shoulder 510 can be connected to front and rear pillar walls 102 , 202 , left side wall 300 , and upper end 506 of handle 502 .
- the transition from front and rear pillar walls 102 , 202 , left side wall 300 , and transitional wall 500 to shoulder 510 can be formed by gentle curves.
- Shoulder 510 can extend upwardly to threaded finish 512 .
- the finish defines an opening 514 through which container 10 is filled with fluid and through which the fluid is subsequently dispensed.
- finish 512 and opening 514 can be centrally oriented between the front and rear pillar walls 102 , 202 , and can also be positioned closed to left side wall 300 than the upper end 506 of handle 502 .
- a load placed on container 10 will be evenly distributed by shoulder 510 , thereby resisting unwanted deformations.
- finish 512 can alternatively be located off-center as long as the remaining structure is sufficient to withstand the required top-loading.
- handle 502 can be provided to make it easier for a user to hold container 10 during transport and while pouring the contents from container 10 .
- Handle 502 can have upper and lower ends 506 , 504 .
- Upper end 506 of handle 502 can merge with shoulder 510 and transitional wall 500 .
- Lower end 504 of handle 502 can merge with right side panel 400 and front and rear panels 100 , 200 .
- Handle 502 can be tubular to receive fluid, especially as the fluid is poured from container 10 .
- Upper end 506 of handle 502 can be positioned at a higher elevation than lower end 504 of handle 502 .
- handle 502 can extend at an angle downward from upper end 506 to lower end 504 .
- angle ⁇ represents the angle at which handle 502 can extend downward.
- angle ⁇ can be anywhere from 0° from the horizontal to 45° from the horizontal.
- angle ⁇ can be anywhere from 0° to 35° from the horizontal.
- angle ⁇ can be anywhere from 0° to 25° from the horizontal.
- angle ⁇ can be anywhere from 0° to 15° from the horizontal.
- angle ⁇ can be approximately 15° from the horizontal.
- FIGS. 2 and 5 illustrate how right side panel 400 can merge with lower end 504 of handle 502 and front and rear panels 100 , 200 .
- Chamfered corners 402 , 404 can be provided to connect right side panel 400 with front and rear panels 100 , 200 .
- Chamfered corners can terminate around the lower end 504 of handle 502 .
- lower end 504 of handle 502 can have angled sides 516 , 518 to merge with front and rear panels 100 , 200 and chamfered corners 402 , 404 .
- Right side panel 400 can have a view stripe 406 and indicia (not shown) to allow a consumer to pour a measured amount of fluid, or to determine the amount of fluid remaining in container 10 .
- FIG. 6 shows an example of the structure of base 600 .
- foundation 602 can transition into a contact area 604 .
- Contact area 604 can be connected to a substantially planar base panel 608 by a transition 606 .
- Contact area 604 can be designed such that all points of contact area 604 contact a support surface on which container 10 is placed. Alternatively, some portion less than all points of contact area 604 can contact the support surface.
- a number of corrugations (ribs) 610 (in this example seven) provide structural rigidity to base panel 608 .
- FIG. 6 shows only one example of base 600 . It is noted that other base structures can be used as long as the structures are sufficiently strong to support the contents of container 10 while preventing unacceptable sagging.
- a preferred container 10 can have about a 4-5 liter capacity and be made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
- a vertical load experienced by finish 512 of container 10 is predominantly transferred to base 600 through five structural paths.
- the portion of the load carried by the left side of container 10 is transferred mainly through transitional wall 500 and along left side panel 300 .
- the pillar walls 102 , 202 and transitional wall 500 can provide added strength to container 10 if handle 502 extends downward at a smaller angle ⁇ .
- a handle that extends downward at a smaller angle ⁇ allows for the capacity of the cavity of container 10 to increase.
- the overall dimensions for a container can be reduced by reducing the angle ⁇ at which handle 502 extends downward.
- the portion of the load carried by the right side of container 10 is transferred mainly through handle 502 and then through chamfered corners 402 , 404 .
- handle 502 extends downward at a small angle ⁇
- additional structure may be necessary to meet top-loading requirements.
- the combination of pillar walls 102 , 202 and transition wall 500 with handle 502 extending downward at angle ⁇ may provide the requisite top-loading support.
- using chamfered corners 402 , 404 instead of normal rounded corners provides stronger corners and, as a result, increased top load strength.
- transitional wall 500 and front and rear pillar walls 102 , 202 may actually compensate for a smaller angle ⁇ at which handle 502 extends downward.
Abstract
Description
Claims (25)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/412,336 US7252205B2 (en) | 2003-04-14 | 2003-04-14 | Plastic container with top handle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/412,336 US7252205B2 (en) | 2003-04-14 | 2003-04-14 | Plastic container with top handle |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040200848A1 US20040200848A1 (en) | 2004-10-14 |
US7252205B2 true US7252205B2 (en) | 2007-08-07 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/412,336 Active 2024-11-26 US7252205B2 (en) | 2003-04-14 | 2003-04-14 | Plastic container with top handle |
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US (1) | US7252205B2 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070068897A1 (en) * | 2005-09-06 | 2007-03-29 | Plastipak Packaging, Inc. | Plastic container |
USD772714S1 (en) * | 2015-03-05 | 2016-11-29 | Envirox, L.L.C. | Container |
USD785457S1 (en) * | 2015-03-05 | 2017-05-02 | Envirox, L.L.C. | Container |
USD785456S1 (en) * | 2015-03-05 | 2017-05-02 | Envirox, L.L.C. | Container |
USD832108S1 (en) * | 2015-03-05 | 2018-10-30 | Envirox, L.L.C. | Container |
USD849547S1 (en) * | 2016-06-03 | 2019-05-28 | Wd-40 Company | Bottle |
USD894744S1 (en) * | 2018-08-02 | 2020-09-01 | Adama Agan Ltd. | Bottle |
USD895426S1 (en) * | 2018-08-02 | 2020-09-08 | Adama Agan Ltd. | Bottle |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6988629B2 (en) * | 2004-05-13 | 2006-01-24 | Plastipak Packaging, Inc. | Hollow plastic article including a view stripe |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4881652A (en) * | 1988-10-03 | 1989-11-21 | Schiemann Dr Wolfram | Device suitable for use as a dual-chambered can |
US4969922A (en) * | 1988-03-21 | 1990-11-13 | Ann Arbor International, Inc. | Ribbed bottle with depressed oblong centers |
US5449088A (en) * | 1994-08-03 | 1995-09-12 | Howard; Marion | Container for gasoline with extended viewing capabilities |
US5954216A (en) * | 1998-01-23 | 1999-09-21 | Great Spring Waters Of America, Inc. | Container with integral ergonomic handle |
-
2003
- 2003-04-14 US US10/412,336 patent/US7252205B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4969922A (en) * | 1988-03-21 | 1990-11-13 | Ann Arbor International, Inc. | Ribbed bottle with depressed oblong centers |
US4881652A (en) * | 1988-10-03 | 1989-11-21 | Schiemann Dr Wolfram | Device suitable for use as a dual-chambered can |
US5449088A (en) * | 1994-08-03 | 1995-09-12 | Howard; Marion | Container for gasoline with extended viewing capabilities |
US5954216A (en) * | 1998-01-23 | 1999-09-21 | Great Spring Waters Of America, Inc. | Container with integral ergonomic handle |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070068897A1 (en) * | 2005-09-06 | 2007-03-29 | Plastipak Packaging, Inc. | Plastic container |
USD772714S1 (en) * | 2015-03-05 | 2016-11-29 | Envirox, L.L.C. | Container |
USD785457S1 (en) * | 2015-03-05 | 2017-05-02 | Envirox, L.L.C. | Container |
USD785456S1 (en) * | 2015-03-05 | 2017-05-02 | Envirox, L.L.C. | Container |
USD832108S1 (en) * | 2015-03-05 | 2018-10-30 | Envirox, L.L.C. | Container |
USD849547S1 (en) * | 2016-06-03 | 2019-05-28 | Wd-40 Company | Bottle |
USD894744S1 (en) * | 2018-08-02 | 2020-09-01 | Adama Agan Ltd. | Bottle |
USD895426S1 (en) * | 2018-08-02 | 2020-09-08 | Adama Agan Ltd. | Bottle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20040200848A1 (en) | 2004-10-14 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P., PENNSYLVANIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ROUBAL, ED;CRIDER, MATTHEW;REEL/FRAME:013966/0899 Effective date: 20030404 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: DEUTSCHE BANK AG CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, NEW JERSEY Free format text: GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.;REEL/FRAME:015980/0213 Effective date: 20041007 Owner name: DEUTSCHE BANK AG CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH AS SECOND-L Free format text: GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.;REEL/FRAME:015552/0299 Effective date: 20041007 |
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STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
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FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
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Owner name: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P., PENNSYLVANIA Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS;ASSIGNOR:DEUTSCHE BANK AG, GAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT;REEL/FRAME:027011/0572 Effective date: 20110908 |
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Owner name: REYNOLDS GROUP HOLDINGS INC., NEW ZEALAND Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.;REEL/FRAME:026970/0699 Effective date: 20110908 |
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Owner name: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P., PENNSYLVANIA Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN CERTAIN PATENT COLLATERAL;ASSIGNOR:THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND TRUSTEE;REEL/FRAME:053396/0531 Effective date: 20200804 Owner name: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, NEW YORK Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P.;GRAHAM PACKAGING PET TECHNOLOGIES INC.;GRAHAM PACKAGING PLASTIC PRODUCTS LLC;REEL/FRAME:053398/0381 Effective date: 20200804 |
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Owner name: GRAHAM PACKAGING COMPANY, L.P., PENNSYLVANIA Free format text: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN CERTAIN PATENT COLLATERAL;ASSIGNOR:DEUTSCHE BANK AG CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND GRANTEE;REEL/FRAME:053414/0001 Effective date: 20200805 |